Joseph had attended Cornell and Drake universities before enlisting in the Air Corps. He was called to active duty in January 1943 and was eventually assigned to the 392nd BG at Wendling in England. He flew on his first combat mission 25 September 1944 and completed a total of 35. He afterwards worked first for Bankers Trust in Des Moines and was then Senior Vice-President and Trust Officer in Mason City until his retirement.